Great video Bruce!! I don't have the MegaMax, but some of your tips are also great for the MiniMax. And you gotta watch those strainers....ask me how I know!! 😉 Congratulations again for the great year you folks have had!!!!!
Thanks Keith. I’m sure all the extractors are good quality. Have never heard a negative thing about them. Thanks for watching and for all your support over the years my friend!
I had the 12 frame hillco extractor and it was amazing but when i saw the 32 frame i had to get one and im just wondering if you think it would run ok without being bolted down im not totally sure where i want it yet and dont want to bolt it down yet. Thanks!
Great video and review of the Extractor in use! I finally got to use my Hillco MegaMax and loved it too! But.....after watching your video, I need to figure out why mine is only going to 241 speed max. I'm sure I pressed something by accident (I hope) It really is a great deal for what you get. Here's to an even better next year!
@@brucesbees Yes sir. I sent him a message to see if he might know, but you're right. 241 seems to have done plenty well. Occasionally though, I get some thick honey, so having the option to go a little faster would be nice. I don't usually have a problem with my honey being above 17.5%. I'm usually around 15% sometimes even less. I did watch HillCo's video on programming the controller and it was a great help. That thing is pretty slick.
We have the 18 framer and absolutely love it. The only thing that needs work is the hinges. They seem so flimsy. I remove the motor for storage, and although i haven't had issues yet, i can only imagine how jacked up they could be if one gets hooked on something. And the unbolting of the hinge from the lid (again, for storage) is a bit tedious. Other than that, i would definitely recommend!
@@brucesbees Those hand crank do great… and boy are we excited when we get our first electric ⚡️ extractor. I’ve definitely support Hill&Co. John and his family and employees do an incredible job. They are run like we wish every company was managed👍
This is our process for this year:th-cam.com/video/ilCkeGtMI7o/w-d-xo.htmlsi=CNSImsFP9-vaVGEj. I bought an old Cowen Uncapper and so we upgraded dramatically this year. In past years we used the Simple Harmony Farms uncapper to uncap thousands of frames. It works well for a smaller sideliner or hobbyist. Before that we used a serrated uncapping knife with a combcapper for an uncapping tank. It really just depends on what you are looking for and how much you are willing to spend.
I hear ya. These extractors are “engineered and assembled in the USA” by American workers and an American company. But I can respect your decision. And John would too. I have to say that I had a Maxant 20 framer that I used for years. Good product. We just outgrew it and these Hillco extractors are very nice. But you have to do what feels right to you. I respect that. I have also found John’s customer service to be as good as any in the industry. That alone is a big plus.
@brucesbees the very best customer service that I have ever delt with ever hands down, I have had a small issue with equipment (likely caused during shipping) and John himself drove an hour and half each way to personally replace the product and apologize for any inconvenience. And you just do not find that kind of service anymore
I have a 9 frame HillCo and am more than happy with that machine. John really puts out ome quality stuff.
Quality equipment. Great customer service. I am a fan!
John is the nicest guy on the phone and he provides the best customer service.
I agree.
Had a great time as always thanks for the invite.
Yessir. You’d and Jesse are awesome!
Fantastic machines. . I love my 9 frame.
Yes. Very nice!
Wow 52 more supers!!! Congrats Bruce great video, thanks
Hey thanks for checking in!
Great video Bruce!! I don't have the MegaMax, but some of your tips are also great for the MiniMax. And you gotta watch those strainers....ask me how I know!! 😉 Congratulations again for the great year you folks have had!!!!!
Thanks Keith. I’m sure all the extractors are good quality. Have never heard a negative thing about them. Thanks for watching and for all your support over the years my friend!
My Hillco minimax 9 frame was and is blessing. It runs much like the big boys. I ran it in our kitchen and didn't make a mess. GREAT!
Glad to hear it. Hillco makes a quality product!
And you, Bruce, make great videos.
@thomasplummer2673 thanks for the kind words!
I have the MiniMax and the ez fill system and its nice. Better than paying 4k for the auto bottler.
Hilco has the best equipment by far.Just try some of his frames.Built like a tank .
Thanks for post Bruce!
Yes I am a fan.
I got one this year. Figured I could grow into it. I felt that I would save time and it would pay for itself in time savings.
Sounds like a good move to me. I have never regretted pulling the trigger on equipment that helps me be more efficient.
Great video! Good to see that Lynn guy actually working! 😂😂 JK he’s one of the hardest workers I know.
Ha! No doubt. Anyone who raises chickens for a living has to know how to work!
I had the 12 frame hillco extractor and it was amazing but when i saw the 32 frame i had to get one and im just wondering if you think it would run ok without being bolted down im not totally sure where i want it yet and dont want to bolt it down yet. Thanks!
Yes. But if weight not balanced it can rock. One thing you might consider is bolting it to a pallet or some kind of surface like that to stabilize it.
Have the Hillco 9 frame and it's everything and more that we need, simple, efficient,fast. Cost wise, yeah, checks off all the boxes.
Yep. Quality equipment and great customer service!
Awesome equipment that’s for sure!
Yes! It has worked out well as you know! We really had things running smooth by that last extraction date.
Just ordered a Max12 from Hillco after watching your extraction vidio
Awesome. Have you used it?
Great video and review of the Extractor in use!
I finally got to use my Hillco MegaMax and loved it too!
But.....after watching your video, I need to figure out why mine is only going to 241 speed max.
I'm sure I pressed something by accident (I hope)
It really is a great deal for what you get.
Here's to an even better next year!
Yes we love it. I would contact John and see if he can help you. But in reality 241 is pretty fast.
@@brucesbees Yes sir. I sent him a message to see if he might know, but you're right. 241 seems to have done plenty well. Occasionally though, I get some thick honey, so having the option to go a little faster would be nice. I don't usually have a problem with my honey being above 17.5%. I'm usually around 15% sometimes even less.
I did watch HillCo's video on programming the controller and it was a great help. That thing is pretty slick.
Got one in my basement and will be firing it up for first time this weekend!
Awesome! Good luck with your harvest!
We have the 18 framer and absolutely love it. The only thing that needs work is the hinges. They seem so flimsy. I remove the motor for storage, and although i haven't had issues yet, i can only imagine how jacked up they could be if one gets hooked on something. And the unbolting of the hinge from the lid (again, for storage) is a bit tedious. Other than that, i would definitely recommend!
Good to know.
Oh that went quick, I am usually on my own when I extract and its a 3-4 day operation, it keeps me very busy!
Yeah we have finally reached a point to where we are pretty efficient.
😂😂Hand crank!!😂😂💪💪…we all started there…
👌My first extraction was in my dining room… and it was bouncing all over 😂😂-That was in Circa 1998
No doubt. We extracted hundreds if not thousands of pounds of honey with a little 3 frame hand crank extractor.
@@brucesbees Those hand crank do great… and boy are we excited when we get our first electric ⚡️ extractor. I’ve definitely support Hill&Co. John and his family and employees do an incredible job. They are run like we wish every company was managed👍
Yes! Quality products. Great customer service!
I have a hillco MiniMax and its awesome.
Awesome! I think Hillco’s entire line of extractors is very good. I believe a lot of thought a care has gone into the production of these extractors.
@@brucesbees Give it a few years and I will have toe 30 frame one and the large heated honey storage tank for my auto bottler.
@mathgasm8484 yep. It happens!🍯😎
John is the best 😊
Yes. Good dude. Customer service second to none.
You got good friends and help and some awesome equipment too.😢 another thing the teen age girls that help you are awesome to.
Yes I do. I am blessed!
I have one of hilco's 18 frame extractor I'm hopeing to us ity in two weeks?? what are you using for a uncapper? how are you liking it?
This is our process for this year:th-cam.com/video/ilCkeGtMI7o/w-d-xo.htmlsi=CNSImsFP9-vaVGEj. I bought an old Cowen Uncapper and so we upgraded dramatically this year. In past years we used the Simple Harmony Farms uncapper to uncap thousands of frames. It works well for a smaller sideliner or hobbyist. Before that we used a serrated uncapping knife with a combcapper for an uncapping tank. It really just depends on what you are looking for and how much you are willing to spend.
Here is a video using the Simple Harmony Farms Uncapper a couple of years ago: th-cam.com/video/I5ZvI-sdBKE/w-d-xo.htmlsi=zm1XFElZmszNVzRt
And this is how we did it before we had the Simple Harmony Farms uncapper: th-cam.com/video/2VxsgUy6qpU/w-d-xo.htmlsi=9NG12WONC2Jm0IIt
Where did you purchase honey filter basket (shown in 6:34)? Microns?
brewhaequipment.com/products/large-hop-spider
@@brucesbees Thank you very much!!!
Where did you purchase the strainer with the handle (shown in 6:27 ) ?
Local hardware store.
The other filter (hops spider): brewhaequipment.com/products/large-hop-spider
Thanks for the reply, I have been looking just haven’t found that size 👍
@beemanduran are you referring to the large one that sits on the 5 gallon bucket or the Hops Spider?
@@brucesbees the ones that sit on the 5 gal. buckets. I’ve been searching but can’t find that size. Thank you for replying 👍
Imho, the price difference of this made in China extractor compared to the Maxant isn't great enough to justify not buying American.
I hear ya. These extractors are “engineered and assembled in the USA” by American workers and an American company. But I can respect your decision. And John would too. I have to say that I had a Maxant 20 framer that I used for years. Good product. We just outgrew it and these Hillco extractors are very nice. But you have to do what feels right to you. I respect that. I have also found John’s customer service to be as good as any in the industry. That alone is a big plus.
@brucesbees the very best customer service that I have ever delt with ever hands down, I have had a small issue with equipment (likely caused during shipping) and John himself drove an hour and half each way to personally replace the product and apologize for any inconvenience. And you just do not find that kind of service anymore
Gonna go out on a limb and say that I am pretty sure Maxant would not do that.